BUTWAL: Aspirants have begun lobbying for their candidacy after the Election Commission (EC) decided to hold a by-election in the Rupandehi-3 constituency of the House of Representatives on November 3.
There has been a noticeable increase in political activities in Rupandehi since the date for the by-election was announced.
The Rupandehi-3 seat of the lower house became vacant due to the demise of Deepak Bohora of Rastriya Prajatantra Party (RPP).
Bohora, a dominant figure in Rupandehi politics, had defeated then Home Minister and influential Nepali Congress (NC) leader Bal Krishna Khand in the 2022 elections, with the backing of CPN-UML. Khand, on the other hand, had the support of the CPN (Maoist Center) and the CPN (Unified Socialist).
Now sidelined from politics due to the Bhutanese refugee scam case against him, Khand is reportedly undecided about contesting. Although he was released on bail and is legally allowed to contest, sources say he is grappling with the moral implications of entering the race. Nonetheless, his recent engagements with local cadres and participation in development-related events suggest a possible electoral comeback.
Hari Kafle, secretary of the Rupandehi District Committee of the NC, said it was natural for Khand’s name to surface, given his seniority in the party hierarchy in the district. “But no formal discussions have taken place yet. The central leadership hasn’t issued any circular so far,” he added.
However, CPN-UML seems to have finalized its candidate for the by-election. Politburo member of the party, Khimlal Bhattarai, has reportedly confirmed his candidacy following a meeting with party Chairperson KP Sharma Oli. While Bhattarai has expressed strong interest in the seat, some leaders from Rupandehi-3 have opposed his decision to contest the election away from his usual Rupandehi-5 constituency.
UML is also seeing an internal power struggle with many leaders regretting the party’s decision to support Bohora in 2022. UML sources say leaders like Bharat Pokharel, former Lumbini Province Assembly Member Dadhiram Neupane, Rupandehi District Committee Vice Chairperson Hitraj Panthi and local business leader Shashi Poudel have also expressed interest in contesting the election.
UML district chairperson Yagya Gaire said no formal decision about candidacy has been taken yet.
Unified Socialist General Secretary Bhusal, who lost to Bohora in 2022, has been trying to become a consensus candidate of the left alliance. Kamal Bhandari, Lumbini Province Committee Vice Chairperson of the party and also a successful businessperson in Bhairahwa, has also shown interest in becoming the party’s candidate. Unified Socialist’s Lumbini Province Committee Chairperson Hira Dhwaj Shah said no formal discussion on candidacy has been held.
On the other hand, Nirmal GC, Lumbini Province Coordinator of Maoist Center, said the party will finalize its candidates within a few days.
RSP, RPP Eye New Faces
Given the people’s growing disillusionment with traditional parties, both the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) and RPP are preparing to field new faces in the by-election.
Lumbini Province Committee Vice President Shalikram Ghimire, Provincial Member Prakash Gyawali, Regional Chair Madhu Aryal, and Bhairahawa-based doctor Dr. Yogendra Agrahari are among the names vying for candidacy from RSP. Ghimire said the party will select the candidate by holding a primary in coordination with the party’s Central Committee.
The RSP leaders say the discussion on selecting the party’s candidate will begin formally after General Secretary Kabindra Burlakoti arrives in Rupandehi.
On the other hand, some RPP leaders have called for honoring Bohora’s legacy by fielding someone from his family in the by-election. The names of his two sons—Gaurav, who is a pilot by profession, and Prajjwal, who is an engineer—are being considered for candidacy, according to RPP sources.
RPP’s Rupandehi District Committee Chairperson and former Siddharthanagar Mayor Sagar Pratap Rana has also expressed interest in contesting the by-election
In the 2022 election, Bohora defeated NC’s Bal Krishna Khand by 2,681 votes. He received 36,717 votes, while Khand secured only 34,036. Bohora, who was ill at the time, campaigned without uttering a single word. He passed away at Om Hospital in Kathmandu on April 1.
Madhes-based Mull Fielding Common Candidate
The Federal Democratic Madhesi Front, comprising seven parties, is preparing to field a common candidate in the by-election. Member parties of the Front, including Janata Samajwadi Party (JSP) Nepal, Nagarik Unmukti Party (NUP), Janamat Party, and Loktantrik Samajbadi Party (LSP) Nepal, are holding talks at the central level to select the candidate.
Although NUP patron Resham Chaudhary earlier proposed fielding his candidate as a common candidate of the Front, it did not materialize as Janamat has also staked its claim in the seat. Interestingly, the two parties were inches away from undergoing a merger last month.
Meanwhile, NUP Chairperson Ranjita Chaudhary Shrestha has authorized NUP Patron Chaudhary to select the party’s candidate for the by-election.
